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Nerd #4
Gone with the Nerd
Flynn Granger may be a high-profile entertainment lawyer in L.A., but his premier client, box office bombshell Zoe Tarleton, thinks he’s the perfect guy to teach her to be a nerd. Flynn’s not sure if he should be insulted or excited by her proposition of a cabin-in-the-woods retreat for lessons on nerdiness, but he’s willing to help her land a coveted role as a genius-level chemist.
Flynn knows Zoe wants to be respected as a serious actress, and out in the woods, he discovers she’s not just a pretty face. Even more surprising are the sparks that fly between them. But when eerie noises and a series of dangerous mishaps indicate a potential stalker or even the appearance of the legendary Bigfoot, Flynn realizes he may have to set aside his nerd persona to become the hero Zoe needs.
*Note* - This title was previously published in print format in 2005 by St. Martin's Press.
Flynn knows Zoe wants to be respected as a serious actress, and out in the woods, he discovers she’s not just a pretty face. Even more surprising are the sparks that fly between them. But when eerie noises and a series of dangerous mishaps indicate a potential stalker or even the appearance of the legendary Bigfoot, Flynn realizes he may have to set aside his nerd persona to become the hero Zoe needs.
*Note* - This title was previously published in print format in 2005 by St. Martin's Press.
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 2, 2005
52 people are currently reading
837 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Lewis Thompson
498 books1,535 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestseller Vicki Lewis Thompson believes love makes the world go around and laughter makes the trip worth taking. The recipient of RWA’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award and the author of more than ninety books, Vicki pioneered a new kind of romance hero with Nerd in Shining Armor. Following the success of her nerd stories, Vicki launched a boisterous paranormal series featuring a matchmaking witch and wizard, an ADD dragon named George, and a black cat inspired by her own precocious feline, Eve.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
May 25, 2017
2 Cheating Nerd Stars
WTH? It's like I have been swimming in a sea of mediocre reads lately. This read just really bored me. It was very one dimensional. It took me forever to read it and I didn't really care for any of it. I didn't feel a connection to the MC. Never really got to know them. Their relationship was blah. He had a girlfriend. He was a cheater and I didn't even care. My biggest pet peeve is cheating and I cared so little for their story that the cheating didn't effect me at all because...... you guessed it
I have little hope for the remainder this series. Other then the first book they have all been a let down. Whatevs!
WTH? It's like I have been swimming in a sea of mediocre reads lately. This read just really bored me. It was very one dimensional. It took me forever to read it and I didn't really care for any of it. I didn't feel a connection to the MC. Never really got to know them. Their relationship was blah. He had a girlfriend. He was a cheater and I didn't even care. My biggest pet peeve is cheating and I cared so little for their story that the cheating didn't effect me at all because...... you guessed it
I have little hope for the remainder this series. Other then the first book they have all been a let down. Whatevs!
August 21, 2020
No. Just no. There was nothing I liked about this book. It's been awhile since I've read the other books in this series and while I remember them as being absurd I don't remember their stereotypes as being this offensive. Maybe it's because this one hits closer to home or something but I pretty much hated everything about this book. The depictions of Flynn as a nerd were bad enough when really he is just a competent lawyer, but add in Zoe's absurd preconceptions about being a nerd and it's ridiculous. I HATED the depiction of Zoe as an actress because let me tell you I don't know a single actress, who takes their craft seriously, that acts like that. I've been in this business for almost twenty years and no depiction of a actress in a book has ever pissed me off more. Talk about stereotypes! Ugh! Add in the cheating and I was pretty much done. HATED THIS BOOK!
July 7, 2016
I had such high hopes for this book because I adored her Nerd in Shining Armor. But I was really turned off by the fact that the hero had a girlfriend, who he was cheating on with the heroine. Yes, they made it clear that he wasn't in love with the girlfriend, but he was still dating her until the end of the book. Unacceptable. Also, I could have done without the creepy voyeuristic points of view where the homicidal stalker was watching all the love scenes and providing commentary. Completely unnecessary and disturbing.
April 19, 2019
Fun!
Living with my own nerd certainly didn’t prepare me for all the fun. I think these two were adorable and certainly had some “hairy” situations. Love the Nerd series/books!
Living with my own nerd certainly didn’t prepare me for all the fun. I think these two were adorable and certainly had some “hairy” situations. Love the Nerd series/books!
January 15, 2013
I just cannot give a writer a one-star rating because I know each book is a labor of love and takes considerable time and energy to produce from idea through publication.
However; this book was just ... not good. The plot was implausible, I did not like the female lead at all because of her self-centeredness and arrogance, the male lead hardly qualified as a nerd, the "villain" was transparent from almost the beginning, it moved far too slowly and was at least 59-75 pages too long, and ... shall I go on? Suffice it to say I put my speed reading capability to work so that I could get through it because I really hate to leave a book, any book unfinished.
I have read this author before and enjoyed her humor and characters, so I will more than likely give her another chance. If you're a fan and haven't gotten to this one, though, I recommend you do yourself a favor and skip it.
However; this book was just ... not good. The plot was implausible, I did not like the female lead at all because of her self-centeredness and arrogance, the male lead hardly qualified as a nerd, the "villain" was transparent from almost the beginning, it moved far too slowly and was at least 59-75 pages too long, and ... shall I go on? Suffice it to say I put my speed reading capability to work so that I could get through it because I really hate to leave a book, any book unfinished.
I have read this author before and enjoyed her humor and characters, so I will more than likely give her another chance. If you're a fan and haven't gotten to this one, though, I recommend you do yourself a favor and skip it.
January 27, 2021
Fantastic, fun romance
5 stars
I am currently reading my way through all Vicki Lewis Thompson’s Nerd books and this one, like all the rest so far, has definitely made me into a girl who loves nerds!
This book is about Zoe Tarleton - a movie star who is ready to gain some respect in the industry by taking on a new challenge - the role of a nerdy, plain character in a new film. And to get some input for this role she asks her very nerdy lawyer Flynn Granger to coach her at a hideaway cabin in California’s Bigfoot Country. Add in some Bigfoot sightings, killer bees, strange locals, jealous lovers and threats to Zoe’s life and you have the beginning of the adventure neither Zoe nor Flynn will forget in a hurry. And the fact that Zoe is starting to fall for her nerd makes everything so much more confusing - and interesting.
This is such a fun story that you really get caught up in all the excitement. Zoe is not the stereotypical starlet that you might expect, but she does need a few lessons on how to be uncool which makes her endearing and someone you can admire. Flynn on the other hand is a typical nerd - but with a killer body, a heart of gold and a delicious alpha-male streak. He’ll make everyone want to go out and snag their own nerd! The pair work well together and the chemistry they have really jumps off the pages.
The plot always keeps moving and there are enough twists to keep you guessing and enough sexual tension to keep you reading right the way through to the end. The Nerd books are not a series as such, so you don’t have to have read any of the other books to get this one but I’m sure that you’ll want to read the rest when you’ve finished Gone With The Nerd.
Recommended for those who like their romances with a lot of fun and a tiny touch of mystery.
May 6, 2020
Like so many people, I found this book ruined by a big blinding factor: he was cheating. You can try to fluff it up by showing how he wasn’t in love but, since he hadn’t spoken to his partner, doesn’t matter. Who wants a hero who lacks character? Not this nerd!
Every time the girlfriend was mentioned, it made me sick to my stomach. I would finally forget for a few pages and then BOOM! There was a lot justifying going on.
It is a shame, too, because there were some other things that were good. It had not bad structure and a few good details (fumbling around in the big moment without his glasses? Love!). But then, I really struggled with the speed: Yes, even nerds get caught up, but we’re more practiced at suppressing our emotions so we can think things out (we’re not people who don’t feel. In fact, there can be more compassionate people and hypersensitive people in nerdy groups). He would have forced himself to think it out.
To an extent, she was cheating too. Having experienced a relationship-of-convenience, you negotiate terms especially for longer-term relationships. Zoe would should have known the conditions for outside dating and, likely, they would have included keeping Trace abreast. Their conversation She’s just as much of a cheater, despite their inability to label it as such.
I did enjoy myself long the way, but only so much as I turned my brain off. Notice how sitting here and reflecting, I am uncomfortable. So, can you see past it? Can you let go?
And, while I’m at it, they were too pretty. To an extent, we want to insert ourselves. We want a melted sugar gloss, with enough real starch to swallow it down. Zoe was too pretty and nerds aren’t usually that built/perfect. Where were the flaws? She was flat, as was the definition of nerd, but that actually made it less believable.
Every time the girlfriend was mentioned, it made me sick to my stomach. I would finally forget for a few pages and then BOOM! There was a lot justifying going on.
It is a shame, too, because there were some other things that were good. It had not bad structure and a few good details (fumbling around in the big moment without his glasses? Love!). But then, I really struggled with the speed: Yes, even nerds get caught up, but we’re more practiced at suppressing our emotions so we can think things out (we’re not people who don’t feel. In fact, there can be more compassionate people and hypersensitive people in nerdy groups). He would have forced himself to think it out.
To an extent, she was cheating too. Having experienced a relationship-of-convenience, you negotiate terms especially for longer-term relationships. Zoe would should have known the conditions for outside dating and, likely, they would have included keeping Trace abreast. Their conversation She’s just as much of a cheater, despite their inability to label it as such.
I did enjoy myself long the way, but only so much as I turned my brain off. Notice how sitting here and reflecting, I am uncomfortable. So, can you see past it? Can you let go?
And, while I’m at it, they were too pretty. To an extent, we want to insert ourselves. We want a melted sugar gloss, with enough real starch to swallow it down. Zoe was too pretty and nerds aren’t usually that built/perfect. Where were the flaws? She was flat, as was the definition of nerd, but that actually made it less believable.
September 13, 2017
I really enjoyed this book, but in SPITE of itself, I suspect. I think I like the idea of "nerds" getting their due in romance novels, but let's be perfectly honest here: these aren't REAL nerds. Real nerds are brainy, yeah, but they're also extremely socially awkward and generally not interested in being toned in any way. Flynn, the hero of the novel, is less a nerd and more a geek. He likes bigfoot, he's a contract lawyer, and he walks daily so he doesn't eventually die horribly. Apart from that, he doesn't display too many nerdy aspects. He wears glasses, I guess?
I mean, I guess it depends on your definition of a nerd. This KINDA fits, but if he's a true nerd, he's at the very EDGE of the definition.
Still, it's quite kooky and weird, I liked it even though the second the bad guy showed up I knew EXACTLY who (s)he was. If you like romance novels that are bad for the sake of enjoying badness, this one's not...um...bad.
I mean, I guess it depends on your definition of a nerd. This KINDA fits, but if he's a true nerd, he's at the very EDGE of the definition.
Still, it's quite kooky and weird, I liked it even though the second the bad guy showed up I knew EXACTLY who (s)he was. If you like romance novels that are bad for the sake of enjoying badness, this one's not...um...bad.
January 14, 2024
The beginning of the story had promise with the concept of the weekend getaway, but the further I read, the more I was struggling to finish. I initially liked both main characters and loved Flynn from the get go. However, I don't like that Flynn and Zoe were dishonest to nearly everyone. I also didn't like the fact that Flynn cheated on his girlfriend, no matter the situation, or that Zoe participated while knowing he was in a relationship with another woman. This is my least favorite of this series, so far.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2020
Absolutely fun!
Zoe, beautiful star and Flynn her contract lawyer. They were supposed to ho to this little town to help Jer learn to be a nerd. But between the two of them.... Sparks! Funny though with Big foot in the mix it had me laughing at the two of them and the crazy stuff going on!
Zoe, beautiful star and Flynn her contract lawyer. They were supposed to ho to this little town to help Jer learn to be a nerd. But between the two of them.... Sparks! Funny though with Big foot in the mix it had me laughing at the two of them and the crazy stuff going on!
November 16, 2022
I started reading this series some years ago and really enjoyed it. The romance between a hollywood actress and her lawyer seems unlikely, but lessons in nerdiness lead to lessons in love. In addition, the story includes a number of increasingly deadly accidents and appearances by Bigfoot.
Read
March 13, 2025This wasn't even spicy as I imagined it would be..beauty and the nerd? Sounds fabulous but a few chapters in and the story lacked chemistry and sensuality that is a definite MUST HAVE in the adult romances I read.
January 4, 2018
I love this series and have wanted to read another one for years. Imagine my excitement when I found it on kindle unlimited? :)
February 18, 2019
He was making plans to propose to his long distance girlfriend, three days later he is engaged to the movie star. Gross.
April 20, 2021
Anyone who enjoys reading should read this series! It has humor, romance, suspense and wonderful characters you can't help but fall in love with! I will warn, they are definitely PG-13....
November 9, 2021
Pretty cheesy but a fun bit of fluff.
January 30, 2025
Wish I could give this one more than two stars but it just wasn't as good as the first three. Not much was funny. Sorry.
November 23, 2012
I enjoy Vicki Lewis Thompson's books, but I want nothing more than to sit her down and read her dialogue aloud to her. I can forgive some of the flaws, but the consistently terrible dialogue makes me wince.
While this is the fourth in the series, it's not necessary to read them in order. They're connected by theme, rather than continuity.
Zoe Tarleton is a Hollywood actress, typecast in the sexy love interest role. She thinks she's up to something more challenging, and she's going to prove it by going against type and playing a "nerd," a woman scientist whose life is threatened because she's invented a pill that will help with weight loss, sexual dysfunction, and aging. I was relieved to find out, at the very end, it was meant to be a comedy, but that created more puzzlement: since when are comedy roles well-respected?
To research her role, she asks her contract lawyer, Flynn Granger, to spend a weekend away with her so she can observe him. He has a girlfriend, but they both realize while they're negotiating this agreement that they're attracted to one another. They push forward with the plan, anyway, and wind up in a rustic cabin in the middle of a small town gripped in Bigfoot fever. The townsfolk are hoping to prop up the local economy, stalled since the mine closure, by the fact that they've had several Bigfoot sightings.
I figured out the mysterious stalker/attempted murderer within 50 pages, but that's not why I read these silly books. I read them for the tension, which was more believable than in previous Nerd books. Flynn thinks he's serious about his girlfriend, Kristen, and initially doesn't want to cheat on her. How he figures some of his actions don't constitute cheating, I'll never know.
There are a number of factual and time inconsistencies. Characters go out to have breakfast, talk to people for about a half an hour, get back to the cabin, and are suddenly famished. I didn't get the feeling the author knows a lot about how Hollywood works, though she also sidesteps several clichés. Zoe may be approaching her mid-30's, but she isn't obsessing about her "expiration date" or hunting for wrinkles in the mirror. She's aware her age may become an issue, but it doesn't bother her yet. However, for her age, Zoe is strikingly naïve. It never crosses her mind that her attractive lawyer might have a girlfriend, she calls him a nerd to his face, and she assumes all nerds are alike. I suppose it's to highlight a theme that not all nerds are the same, but it came across clumsily and made her character skirt the Too Stupid To Live line.
As with Nerd Gone Wild, the antagonist has a kinky side to show how evil she is. I dislike this tendency of Ms. Thompson's, to associate deviant sexuality with mental illness and a tendency to do harm. Most of the people I know who practice BDSM are moral, sane people. They're not very open about their tendencies, though, just because of this societal attitude that something is wrong with someone who practices BDSM.
You may want to skip the last chapter entirely, by the way. It's saccharine sweet, and adds very little except the clarification that Zoe's nerd role was for a comedy. I didn't need to read about Zoe's life a year later to know they'd be happily ever after. It was too much.
These books are great for mindless escapism, and an alternative to the alphaholes found in most romance novels. But, I don't recommend going in with the expectation they're well-written, and definitely don't take this dialogue as a good example. I've seen log cabins less wooden.
Previously reviewed by Vicki Lewis Thompson:
Nerd in Shining Armor
The Nerd Who Loved Me
Nerd Gone Wild
While this is the fourth in the series, it's not necessary to read them in order. They're connected by theme, rather than continuity.
Zoe Tarleton is a Hollywood actress, typecast in the sexy love interest role. She thinks she's up to something more challenging, and she's going to prove it by going against type and playing a "nerd," a woman scientist whose life is threatened because she's invented a pill that will help with weight loss, sexual dysfunction, and aging. I was relieved to find out, at the very end, it was meant to be a comedy, but that created more puzzlement: since when are comedy roles well-respected?
To research her role, she asks her contract lawyer, Flynn Granger, to spend a weekend away with her so she can observe him. He has a girlfriend, but they both realize while they're negotiating this agreement that they're attracted to one another. They push forward with the plan, anyway, and wind up in a rustic cabin in the middle of a small town gripped in Bigfoot fever. The townsfolk are hoping to prop up the local economy, stalled since the mine closure, by the fact that they've had several Bigfoot sightings.
I figured out the mysterious stalker/attempted murderer within 50 pages, but that's not why I read these silly books. I read them for the tension, which was more believable than in previous Nerd books. Flynn thinks he's serious about his girlfriend, Kristen, and initially doesn't want to cheat on her. How he figures some of his actions don't constitute cheating, I'll never know.
There are a number of factual and time inconsistencies. Characters go out to have breakfast, talk to people for about a half an hour, get back to the cabin, and are suddenly famished. I didn't get the feeling the author knows a lot about how Hollywood works, though she also sidesteps several clichés. Zoe may be approaching her mid-30's, but she isn't obsessing about her "expiration date" or hunting for wrinkles in the mirror. She's aware her age may become an issue, but it doesn't bother her yet. However, for her age, Zoe is strikingly naïve. It never crosses her mind that her attractive lawyer might have a girlfriend, she calls him a nerd to his face, and she assumes all nerds are alike. I suppose it's to highlight a theme that not all nerds are the same, but it came across clumsily and made her character skirt the Too Stupid To Live line.
As with Nerd Gone Wild, the antagonist has a kinky side to show how evil she is. I dislike this tendency of Ms. Thompson's, to associate deviant sexuality with mental illness and a tendency to do harm. Most of the people I know who practice BDSM are moral, sane people. They're not very open about their tendencies, though, just because of this societal attitude that something is wrong with someone who practices BDSM.
You may want to skip the last chapter entirely, by the way. It's saccharine sweet, and adds very little except the clarification that Zoe's nerd role was for a comedy. I didn't need to read about Zoe's life a year later to know they'd be happily ever after. It was too much.
These books are great for mindless escapism, and an alternative to the alphaholes found in most romance novels. But, I don't recommend going in with the expectation they're well-written, and definitely don't take this dialogue as a good example. I've seen log cabins less wooden.
Previously reviewed by Vicki Lewis Thompson:
Nerd in Shining Armor
The Nerd Who Loved Me
Nerd Gone Wild
July 6, 2011
Quick Thoughts
I think the whole beauty and the geek thing is a great story line. It is cliche and sometimes grossly unrealistic however it makes for great romance. Idk about you guys, but i love brainy men. I read two of the nerds books before
and
. I read those when i was JUST going from YA romance to full on Romance. Needless to say I might have liked anything back then haha. However, i do remember honestly enjoying both of the books especially My nerdy Valentine. And i even owned The nerd who loved me. So i decided to try out ms. Thompson again for 'ol times sake....oh boy, i should have let bygones be bygones... O_O
Quicky Synopsis. Beautiful famous Actress Zoe is sick of being cast as the Bombshell in Romantic Comedies a lucrative but no respect gaining field. Time is ticking and if she wants to stay in hollywood she needs to prove her weight in a serious film. So she decides to make a gutsy move and try out for a ...serious movie GASP The movie is about a "flat chested" smart chemist who's formula is trying to get stolen so a beautiful, possessive, alpha male body guard is employed to protect her. Sparks fly...you guys know the rest. Is that not just another romantic movie with a touch of intrigue. I dont get it...in the book Jodi Foster is supposed to be trying to get the role. YEAH RIGHT! Anyways, she needs nerd coaching so she goes to the one nerd she knows and can trust Flynn her lawyer. Who despite his nerd persona is roguishly handsome ...only with glasses and a drab wardrobe. Did i mention he is about to be engaged to long time girlfriend , a harvard prof at that. They go to a remote place called long shaft Ummmmm yeah, I didn't type stutter its called long shaft. -_-
This book is really really really badly written. The characters are two dimensional, the plot is juvenile, the progression is ridiculous. The only way this book can even be remotely acceptable is if Thompson was writing a satirical spoof on romance if so...well 2 1/2 stars. I can't believe i liked this series of books. I'm not even going to go back and reread the other two i loved for fear of messing up all my delusions of the great books I read in my past, because, after reading this I seriously doubt my taste in books. Its like looking back on the pictures of me in the 90s...what was i thinking wearing that crushed velvet shirt?! ...Well, another one bites the dust
I think the whole beauty and the geek thing is a great story line. It is cliche and sometimes grossly unrealistic however it makes for great romance. Idk about you guys, but i love brainy men. I read two of the nerds books before
and
. I read those when i was JUST going from YA romance to full on Romance. Needless to say I might have liked anything back then haha. However, i do remember honestly enjoying both of the books especially My nerdy Valentine. And i even owned The nerd who loved me. So i decided to try out ms. Thompson again for 'ol times sake....oh boy, i should have let bygones be bygones... O_OQuicky Synopsis. Beautiful famous Actress Zoe is sick of being cast as the Bombshell in Romantic Comedies a lucrative but no respect gaining field. Time is ticking and if she wants to stay in hollywood she needs to prove her weight in a serious film. So she decides to make a gutsy move and try out for a ...serious movie GASP The movie is about a "flat chested" smart chemist who's formula is trying to get stolen so a beautiful, possessive, alpha male body guard is employed to protect her. Sparks fly...you guys know the rest. Is that not just another romantic movie with a touch of intrigue. I dont get it...in the book Jodi Foster is supposed to be trying to get the role. YEAH RIGHT! Anyways, she needs nerd coaching so she goes to the one nerd she knows and can trust Flynn her lawyer. Who despite his nerd persona is roguishly handsome ...only with glasses and a drab wardrobe. Did i mention he is about to be engaged to long time girlfriend , a harvard prof at that. They go to a remote place called long shaft Ummmmm yeah, I didn't type stutter its called long shaft. -_-
This book is really really really badly written. The characters are two dimensional, the plot is juvenile, the progression is ridiculous. The only way this book can even be remotely acceptable is if Thompson was writing a satirical spoof on romance if so...well 2 1/2 stars. I can't believe i liked this series of books. I'm not even going to go back and reread the other two i loved for fear of messing up all my delusions of the great books I read in my past, because, after reading this I seriously doubt my taste in books. Its like looking back on the pictures of me in the 90s...what was i thinking wearing that crushed velvet shirt?! ...Well, another one bites the dust
July 9, 2014
Zoe is a fun heroine, a movie star who's been relegated to glamour girl roles and who longs to be taken seriously. She's auditioning for the role of a nerdy scientist, and decides she needs to immerse herself in the world of nerdism. Enter Flynn, her contract lawyer. He wears glasses, he drives an older car (she has to ask him how to lock the doors because the car does not have power locks), he's in a long distance relationship with another lawyer, and his PDA is never out his reach. When Zoe asks him to go to a remote cabin in the woods under the assumed names (from the movie script) of Tony and Vera (in order for her to avoid being recognized by anyone) and teach her everything she needs to know about being a nerd, he is resistant, but finally gives in and agrees, on one condition – he has to tell his girlfriend where he'll be and why.
Part of the nerd training sessions involve reading lines of hokey dialogue from the movie script, with Flynn coaching Zoe on how a nerd would talk or act or respond to situations, such as telling her the character of Vera would not leave the top two buttons of her blouse undone, or she would not sound so sure of herself, etc. I thought the movie dialogue was a little over the top, and that Zoe was wrong in thinking this was a serious movie that would get her serious attention. I kept anticipating that in the end the movie would be a bomb or be canceled before it got off the ground, or something along those lines. But no, it actually was a serious movie.
Of course all kinds of wacky times ensue, some between the two of them, some involving the local townspeople. Flynn quickly gets into the spirit of things and embraces his nerd persona, and Zoe quickly realizes she wants to embrace Flynn. They dance around each other, and the build up to their relationship was played out slowly (though not too slowly since it is a single weekend) and satisfyingly.
I went into this one a little leery compared to the other Nerd books, as the backdrop of the Bigfoot storyline did not appeal to me at all, but I was satisfied with the way that played out.
As usual with a Vicki Lewis Thompson book, there is plenty of humor to go along with the heat. One of my favorite passages:
"As long as Flynn kept his tie on, he wouldn't turn into Tony. Besides, most sexual encounters began when a guy loosened his tie. A loose tie led to everything becoming loose. Flynn wanted to stay tight."
Unfortunately when I made a note of that passage I forgot to write down the page number and I'm too lazy to flip through the book and look for it now.
Very enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to continuing with the series.
First posted at on my blog.
Part of the nerd training sessions involve reading lines of hokey dialogue from the movie script, with Flynn coaching Zoe on how a nerd would talk or act or respond to situations, such as telling her the character of Vera would not leave the top two buttons of her blouse undone, or she would not sound so sure of herself, etc. I thought the movie dialogue was a little over the top, and that Zoe was wrong in thinking this was a serious movie that would get her serious attention. I kept anticipating that in the end the movie would be a bomb or be canceled before it got off the ground, or something along those lines. But no, it actually was a serious movie.
Of course all kinds of wacky times ensue, some between the two of them, some involving the local townspeople. Flynn quickly gets into the spirit of things and embraces his nerd persona, and Zoe quickly realizes she wants to embrace Flynn. They dance around each other, and the build up to their relationship was played out slowly (though not too slowly since it is a single weekend) and satisfyingly.
I went into this one a little leery compared to the other Nerd books, as the backdrop of the Bigfoot storyline did not appeal to me at all, but I was satisfied with the way that played out.
As usual with a Vicki Lewis Thompson book, there is plenty of humor to go along with the heat. One of my favorite passages:
"As long as Flynn kept his tie on, he wouldn't turn into Tony. Besides, most sexual encounters began when a guy loosened his tie. A loose tie led to everything becoming loose. Flynn wanted to stay tight."
Unfortunately when I made a note of that passage I forgot to write down the page number and I'm too lazy to flip through the book and look for it now.
Very enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to continuing with the series.
First posted at on my blog.
May 5, 2008
I absolutely adore Vicki Lewis Thompson's NERD Series. As a woman married to a man who would, in all likelihood, be described as a nerd, I know first-hand how hot these guys can be! Ms. Thompson has served up another steamy slice of nerdiness in GONE WITH THE NERD.
Zoe Tarleton is a movie star known far and wide for one thing-- playing the bombshell. With her beauty and first-class body, she's made plenty of films--but she's tired of being known as nothing more than a pretty face. Then the chance of a lifetime falls into her lap--the chance to audition for the role of Vera in an action-adventure movie, a part that could, if played right, earn her a Golden Globe. The only problem is that Vera, a chemist working on a miracle drug, is a flat-chested, bland, nerdy woman. To turn her bombshell into a dud, Zoe needs to learn how to be a nerd, and she knows the perfect person to help guide her--entertainment attorney Flynn Granger. She's spent plenty of time with Flynn over the past few years, working out contracts, and she knows he's just the man for the job.
Flynn has always been attracted to Zoe in an off-hand, it-could-never-happen sort of way. After all, she's Zoe Tarleton and he's, well, a nerdy accountant with glasses, a monochrome wardrobe, and a Honda Civic. So when Zoe suggests spending the weekend in Long Shaft, California, home of the Sasquatch, for him to advise her in nerdiness, Flynn agrees, on the condition that he can tell his almost-fiancee, Kristen, what they're up to. The only problem is, even before they reach Long Shaft, Flynn's realizing that being in close proximity with Zoe--dowdy or not--is a real danger to his libido.
GONE WITH THE NERD is an absolute riot, and Zoe and Flynn are adorable characters. The steam these two generate is enough to erupt a volcano, and the suspense and paranormal aspects thrown into the story add an exciting mix. I love how Zoe realizes that there's more to life than fame and fortune, and how Flynn comes to understand that blending into the background of life isn't necessarily the best way to go.
You won't go wrong with this nerdy tale, and I for one am eagerly anticipating the next one, TALK NERDY TO ME.
Zoe Tarleton is a movie star known far and wide for one thing-- playing the bombshell. With her beauty and first-class body, she's made plenty of films--but she's tired of being known as nothing more than a pretty face. Then the chance of a lifetime falls into her lap--the chance to audition for the role of Vera in an action-adventure movie, a part that could, if played right, earn her a Golden Globe. The only problem is that Vera, a chemist working on a miracle drug, is a flat-chested, bland, nerdy woman. To turn her bombshell into a dud, Zoe needs to learn how to be a nerd, and she knows the perfect person to help guide her--entertainment attorney Flynn Granger. She's spent plenty of time with Flynn over the past few years, working out contracts, and she knows he's just the man for the job.
Flynn has always been attracted to Zoe in an off-hand, it-could-never-happen sort of way. After all, she's Zoe Tarleton and he's, well, a nerdy accountant with glasses, a monochrome wardrobe, and a Honda Civic. So when Zoe suggests spending the weekend in Long Shaft, California, home of the Sasquatch, for him to advise her in nerdiness, Flynn agrees, on the condition that he can tell his almost-fiancee, Kristen, what they're up to. The only problem is, even before they reach Long Shaft, Flynn's realizing that being in close proximity with Zoe--dowdy or not--is a real danger to his libido.
GONE WITH THE NERD is an absolute riot, and Zoe and Flynn are adorable characters. The steam these two generate is enough to erupt a volcano, and the suspense and paranormal aspects thrown into the story add an exciting mix. I love how Zoe realizes that there's more to life than fame and fortune, and how Flynn comes to understand that blending into the background of life isn't necessarily the best way to go.
You won't go wrong with this nerdy tale, and I for one am eagerly anticipating the next one, TALK NERDY TO ME.
January 20, 2011
Zoe Tarleton is a popular actress hoping to land a Golden Globe-worthy role. The problem? The role she wants means she needs training in how to be a nerd. Since she doesn't want anyone to know how hard she's preparing for this role, she needs a private tutor. Her lawyer, Flynn Granger, is her ticket to success. Intelligent and organized, Flynn is the just the man she needs to train her in the ways of the nerd. Stuck in a cabin alone with Flynn, Zoe begins to notice things about her lawyer that had escaped her before - especially his good looks and toned body. It's too bad for her that he has a serious girlfriend, or the cabin windows would be getting steamy.
Flynn has never done something so crazy in his life, but he can't say no to Zoe Tarleton. He has a girlfriend, yes, but being with Zoe is making him realize that he obviously doesn't care about Kristen as much as he should for a man who's about to propose. The question is: Does Kristen feel the same way? Strange things are happening at the cabin, and Kristen is nowhere to be found . . .
I had a bit of an issue with Flynn not breaking up with Kristen before things started heating up with Zoe, though I do understand that he had never emotionally invested in the relationship. Had it not been for that, this book would have gotten a higher score. I just really don't approve of cheating on your significant other, even if the relationship isn't going well. It's always better to have an awkward conversation but be definitively in the clear.
Grade: B+
www.thehopelessbibliophile.com
Flynn has never done something so crazy in his life, but he can't say no to Zoe Tarleton. He has a girlfriend, yes, but being with Zoe is making him realize that he obviously doesn't care about Kristen as much as he should for a man who's about to propose. The question is: Does Kristen feel the same way? Strange things are happening at the cabin, and Kristen is nowhere to be found . . .
I had a bit of an issue with Flynn not breaking up with Kristen before things started heating up with Zoe, though I do understand that he had never emotionally invested in the relationship. Had it not been for that, this book would have gotten a higher score. I just really don't approve of cheating on your significant other, even if the relationship isn't going well. It's always better to have an awkward conversation but be definitively in the clear.
Grade: B+
www.thehopelessbibliophile.com
June 6, 2014
Review from Backchatting Books
Bombshell Zoe Tarleton is sick of playing dumb but pretty lead roles in movies and jumps at the chance to play the role of a geeky chemist. The only problem is that she doesn't know how to channel her inner geek. Enter her geeky lawyer Flynn Granger from stage left. She convinces him to travel to a rural cabin and train in her in all things geekdom.
Read it for...
The bigfoot that might or might not exist.
This book is a clear satirical take on the romance genre. Thompson throws in as many romantic tropes as she can from the incredibly handsome lawyer who doesn't know how to dress well to the gorgeous woman who just wants to be taken seriously. Zoe is fairly self-absorbed and genuinely unable to consider other people's points of view. There isn't much more depth to Flynn as he forgets his place-holder girlfriend that he was considering marrying obscenely quickly. The plot is wildly improbable and chock-full of contrived situations but luckily enough had just enough humour thrown in for me to keep reading. If you are looking for a sensitive and thought-provoking contemporary romance, then you really should look elsewhere. On the other hand, if you want something light, you could enjoy playing 'lets spot the trope'.
Bombshell Zoe Tarleton is sick of playing dumb but pretty lead roles in movies and jumps at the chance to play the role of a geeky chemist. The only problem is that she doesn't know how to channel her inner geek. Enter her geeky lawyer Flynn Granger from stage left. She convinces him to travel to a rural cabin and train in her in all things geekdom.
Read it for...
The bigfoot that might or might not exist.
This book is a clear satirical take on the romance genre. Thompson throws in as many romantic tropes as she can from the incredibly handsome lawyer who doesn't know how to dress well to the gorgeous woman who just wants to be taken seriously. Zoe is fairly self-absorbed and genuinely unable to consider other people's points of view. There isn't much more depth to Flynn as he forgets his place-holder girlfriend that he was considering marrying obscenely quickly. The plot is wildly improbable and chock-full of contrived situations but luckily enough had just enough humour thrown in for me to keep reading. If you are looking for a sensitive and thought-provoking contemporary romance, then you really should look elsewhere. On the other hand, if you want something light, you could enjoy playing 'lets spot the trope'.
March 6, 2011
Straight-laced attorney to the stars, Flynn Granger has been hired by his most famous client, beautiful starlet Zoe Tarleton for something besides his excellent legal abilities. She needs to learn how to be a nerd so that she can get a role that could really expand her reputation as an actress. Because she doesn't want anyone to know, secrecy is of the utmost importance, so she books a weekend for them at a remote mountain resort. Shortly after arriving, the sparks begin to fly between the two of them, but nearly as soon it becomes clear that someone is trying to kill them. Will their affair survive?
I was extremely disappointed in this one. Both main characters start the book attached to people they are clearly not interested in simply so they have an excuse not to immediately act on their mutual attraction. Charming secondary characters are sloppily added to the story and the story was filled with sloppy writing, with a plot that was just enticing enough to keep me reading. Maybe earlier titles by Thompson were better, but this one was a poorly constructed attempt to cash in on the "hot nerds" trend. Don't waste your time.
I was extremely disappointed in this one. Both main characters start the book attached to people they are clearly not interested in simply so they have an excuse not to immediately act on their mutual attraction. Charming secondary characters are sloppily added to the story and the story was filled with sloppy writing, with a plot that was just enticing enough to keep me reading. Maybe earlier titles by Thompson were better, but this one was a poorly constructed attempt to cash in on the "hot nerds" trend. Don't waste your time.
August 22, 2008
Formula for a nerd romance:
1 attractive lady in trouble
1 male nerd with a surprisingly hot body and sexual prowess, who turns into a protective manly man
1 nefarious plot twist
This time it's Zoe the actress and Flynn her lawyer. Zoe needs Flynn to teach her how to be a nerd so she can get a role outside of her bombshell typecast arena. They secretly slip away to the small town of Long Shaft (none too subtle), famous for Bigfoot sightings. They pretend to be Tony and Vera, characters from the movie Zoe's auditioning for, and practice ridiculously bad romance scenes from a sub-B script. Oh, yeah, and Zoe gets a Golden Globe for her role at the end. Did I mention the script is horrifyingly bad?
My favorite part of this is the nefarious plot twist. Their food is poisoned, killer bees attack their porch, a tree falls on Zoe's bed, and who could it be? That's right, Zoe's high school fellow cheerleader, MARGO! YES! I have arrived! There's a crazy psychotic homocidal maniac in a nerd romance named after me!
1 attractive lady in trouble
1 male nerd with a surprisingly hot body and sexual prowess, who turns into a protective manly man
1 nefarious plot twist
This time it's Zoe the actress and Flynn her lawyer. Zoe needs Flynn to teach her how to be a nerd so she can get a role outside of her bombshell typecast arena. They secretly slip away to the small town of Long Shaft (none too subtle), famous for Bigfoot sightings. They pretend to be Tony and Vera, characters from the movie Zoe's auditioning for, and practice ridiculously bad romance scenes from a sub-B script. Oh, yeah, and Zoe gets a Golden Globe for her role at the end. Did I mention the script is horrifyingly bad?
My favorite part of this is the nefarious plot twist. Their food is poisoned, killer bees attack their porch, a tree falls on Zoe's bed, and who could it be? That's right, Zoe's high school fellow cheerleader, MARGO! YES! I have arrived! There's a crazy psychotic homocidal maniac in a nerd romance named after me!
August 31, 2016
Zoe is a movie star. Flynn is not. He's an attorney who has a life that isn't exciting. He is very conservative with his money, his time, and his life. However, he is very interested in Zoe, who is his client.
Zoe needs his help. She is known for being the bombshell in movies. She wants to be taken more seriously. There is a role she wants, but it would require her to be nerdier. In comes Flynn. He can help her become nerdier.
Somehow, they end up in Bigfoot Country (a little strange, but suspend your disbelief for this book). She ends up being stalked while she's there, and it's pretty obvious who the person is from the first moment you meet them in the book. It's not as suspenseful as it could be, and the red herrings weren't enough to distract the reader from not knowing who the stalker is.
I liked their chemistry. I think if Flynn was supposed to be so nerdy, he should have been a bit nerdier. But overall, it was a good book. Not my favorite, but I don't regret my time spent on it. Just made me think about how I would have written the story myself.
Zoe needs his help. She is known for being the bombshell in movies. She wants to be taken more seriously. There is a role she wants, but it would require her to be nerdier. In comes Flynn. He can help her become nerdier.
Somehow, they end up in Bigfoot Country (a little strange, but suspend your disbelief for this book). She ends up being stalked while she's there, and it's pretty obvious who the person is from the first moment you meet them in the book. It's not as suspenseful as it could be, and the red herrings weren't enough to distract the reader from not knowing who the stalker is.
I liked their chemistry. I think if Flynn was supposed to be so nerdy, he should have been a bit nerdier. But overall, it was a good book. Not my favorite, but I don't regret my time spent on it. Just made me think about how I would have written the story myself.
April 8, 2009
Somewhat predictable, HOWEVER, the "criminal" in this story wasn't who I thought was and totally caught me off guard.
~~~~~~
Glamorous movie star Zoe Tarleton wants to be taken seriously as an actress, so she sets her sights on snagging the role of flat-chested science nerd Vera. She asks her nerdy lawyer, Flynn Granger, to secretly spend the weekend with her in a remote cabin near the old mining town of Long Shaft (innuendo intended) to teach her the intricacies of nerd-dom. Flynn has a lawyer girlfriend but finds spending time with his most famous client intoxicating. He also happens to be crazy about Big Foot, who seems to live in the area. The intense sexual attraction between Zoe and Flynn is interrupted by an attempted poisoning, an almost lethal swarm of bees, and a falling tree. Although there are humorous bits, the main focus here is simply sex, while an extremely happily-ever-after ending almost makes up for the obvious plot.
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Glamorous movie star Zoe Tarleton wants to be taken seriously as an actress, so she sets her sights on snagging the role of flat-chested science nerd Vera. She asks her nerdy lawyer, Flynn Granger, to secretly spend the weekend with her in a remote cabin near the old mining town of Long Shaft (innuendo intended) to teach her the intricacies of nerd-dom. Flynn has a lawyer girlfriend but finds spending time with his most famous client intoxicating. He also happens to be crazy about Big Foot, who seems to live in the area. The intense sexual attraction between Zoe and Flynn is interrupted by an attempted poisoning, an almost lethal swarm of bees, and a falling tree. Although there are humorous bits, the main focus here is simply sex, while an extremely happily-ever-after ending almost makes up for the obvious plot.
January 12, 2012
Holy SAT score, Superman! Who'd uh thunk that a Bigfoot, a movie star and a nerdy lawyer could come together for such a cute story! Sexy, witty, nerdy......What more could a girl want? A rundown cabin in the middle of no-where-ville and Sasquatch running loose in the area? Okay, why not. Way to many hilarious instances to name, but if I must......well I must!
Lets start with a town called LONG SHAFT! LOL way to cute.....Then there is Sasquatch Diner...LONG SHAFT TRADING POST.......*snort*.... sorry, I am having to good a time writing this :) OH WOW is all I am going to say. I laughed so hard I though I was going to wet myself. but then.........Smoking hot love in the back seat of a compact car on a fuzzy BIGFOOT sleeping bag? ROFL!!!!!
Pardon as I wipe the tear from my eye.........A must read that I will be reading several more times in the future :) SNAPS Ms Thompson. You have done it again :)
Lets start with a town called LONG SHAFT! LOL way to cute.....Then there is Sasquatch Diner...LONG SHAFT TRADING POST.......*snort*.... sorry, I am having to good a time writing this :) OH WOW is all I am going to say. I laughed so hard I though I was going to wet myself. but then.........Smoking hot love in the back seat of a compact car on a fuzzy BIGFOOT sleeping bag? ROFL!!!!!
Pardon as I wipe the tear from my eye.........A must read that I will be reading several more times in the future :) SNAPS Ms Thompson. You have done it again :)
March 21, 2011
This book was delightful. An actress takes her lawyer to a small town in northern California, ostensibly to learn to be a "nerd" - but they end up falling hard for each other. They start out in relationships with other people (that aren't too serious), so that builds the tension between them, trying to do what's morally right and not cheat. And the sex is niiiiiiice.... Yep, very nice. Very very nice. Ahem. Mixed into the romance is mystery, murder attempts, and Bigfoot sightings, along with a fun cast of small-town characters. If there's one thing that I'd like to see more of in VLT's books, it's a return to the character development that was in the first book in this series, Nerd in Shining Armor, because that book was outstanding. After that one, I'd say this is my second favorite in this series.
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